CONNECTING CREATIVES
ABOUT BMCAN
Our Purpose
Connecting creatives acoss the Greater Blue Mountains, Blue Mountains Creative Arts Network (BMCAN) is a community membership-based, not-for-profit organisation that aims to support a vibrant, sustainable, creative arts community through leadership, member services and collaborative partnerships. Donations to us are tax deductible.
What sets our network apart is its focus on collaboration and inclusiveness with all art forms. We provide the following:
- Support for member initiated events through our volunteer management committee
- Multi-arts co-created activities bringing together musicians, artists, photographers, writers, thinkers, poets and philosophers
- Arts and artisan expos to help connect with customers and the visitor economy
- Ideas leadership through Talking Artz and its podcasts, and occasional seminars
- Exhibitions which provide visual artists with exposure to the public and opportunities to sell their work
- Auspice support for artists applying for grants
- Career development through links to learning opportunities
- Donations to our public fund are tax deductible
, Our Member Services
ArtBytes—We provide a regular e-newsletter to members reporting on the activities of BMCAN and including short articles by members
Online Services—Members can display their work on our BMCAN website and list their events and exhibitions. There are blogs for Wild Mountain Collective and TalkingArtz. We also maintain four Facebook pages (two open and two group pages)
Arts Expo and home studios—We work with our members to organise events that profile their artworks through expos, arts trails, workshop and home studio visit.
Grant support (auspice)—We support artists applying for grants by providing auspice services (assistance with applications and administration of funds granted)
Regenesis Collective—Multi-arts co-created activities using the arts to explore and celebrate the ‘wild’ and our interconnected relationship with nature and one another. The inclusion of all art practices with co-created events provides the opportunity to experience a broad range of ideas and learning, including thought leadership through our blog: www.regenesis.org.au
Events Partnerships, for example with Gang Gang Gallery in the Seven Valleys (Lithgow) community, Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre, Gallery H Dargan, RoseyRavelston Books & Publishing, Planetary Health Initiative, Winter Magic Festival.
Talking Artz—Listen to experienced artists discuss and share the artistic challenges they face and the ideas that are informing the latest developments in visual arts, with conversations podcasted and video recorded for publication on www.talkingart.com.au
Regular exhibitions—We organise up to eight open exhibitions per year. These are held at locations such as United Cinemas The Edge at Katoomba, Gallery One88, Braemar Gallery and other suitable locations. All exhibitions are curated and judged.
Other Curated exhibitions—BMCAN, with the support of our partners, also organises exhibitions at venues like Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Woodford Academy, Braemar Gallery and NSW Parliament House.
Learning & Skills—As many artists are also running a small business, we support and encourage the development of business skills by our members through classes held at TAFE, Business Blue Mountains, MTNS MADE and Western Sydney Business Centre.
Public Liability insurance. As a member you are covered for Public and Products Liability insurance of $20 million when you participate in a BMCAN exhibition or event
Collaborative Networks through our developing cultural eco-system, we are linking members to partner organisations and their resources.